Photographs show 1 exterior and 22 interior views of the first separate building for the national library of the United States, which opened November 1, 1897, and is now called the Thomas Jefferson Building.

Photographer Levin C. Handy (1855-1932) was hired on contract to document the construction of the first Library of Congress building between 1880 and 1896. He also photographed staff members at work in the newly completed building and was allowed to set up a stand to sell his views to the public. (Source: Kathleen Collins, Washingtoniana Photographs, p. 27)